Eapps : boon or bane?

The dream for people to one day essentially transact business at the palm of their hands is becoming a reality. Consider these apps

1. Singtel - for phone bills

2. Dbs Bank - for fund transfers and payment of bills.

3. Starhub - for cable TV bills.
4. Golden village - for movie tickets
5. SP services - for utility bills

2013 journey golf

january: mandai and ns golf

february: ponderosa

march: swing at legends golf 

april:jurong country club 9 holes 2x

may: orchard golf adventure 2x

june: pasar malam night golf at marina bay

july: austin hill break 90 score 2x and daiman golf

aug: couples retreat at palm resort and swing golf austin

Man in the Mirror- An unexamined life

Is it possible that despite every effort one has to put in, one can still miss out key areas or neglect key people in ones life?

I have been trying to juggle my work, my ministry involvement , my role as a father and husband, my extended family responsibilities and oftentime felt inadequate or even guity that I am ignoring key part of their lives.

I saw one leader whom Ive known for years and he said " when we get better, the people around us become better". 

Is this the case?

That we are the image we want to see in the world. 

That we are the result that we want to see in the world.

Change the world, but change the man first?

Start from us.

Daily Motivator - small deed leads to bigger ones!

This is what Ralph Marston said (below passage) and I could not agree more. Like a small drop of water that trickles on the water faucet overnight, small efforts leading to a goal could one day overflow the pail.

Small deed, small thought, small act, sums up to big ones. And I remember Paul when he said in 2 Corinthians to offer every little thought to Christ. I quote "

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

This is why too even small thought of evil needs to be nipped in the bud early on.

=============================

Do some

Being positive some of the time is much better than being positive none of the time. Making a small effort is far more effective than making no effort at all.

Even when you are not able to do it all, do some. Even when you don’t have enough time, make good use of the time you have.

Though you may not get everything done, you can make some real progress. Even though conditions are not perfect, you can work with what you have.

Use each opportunity to do what you can, when you can, with what the moment affords you. Small efforts, all applied in a consistent direction, can quickly add up to big results.

Though there never seems to be enough time, there is always now. So make good and meaningful use of it.

Make life a little bit better, again and again, each chance you get. Soon, you’ll find things to be a whole lot better.

— Ralph Marston

Read more at http://www.greatday.com/#UkH7PY0L5c4txXuB.99 

3 Months to this Day

Perhaps no other 3 months could define my life that his last one. (March to May)

My service to the community
------------------------------------
0 My new supporting role in our local church led me to engage more in my physical well being such as golfing and cycling, two sports which I have invested heavily the last few years.  I've never felt better!

0 And the less time I am required to support weekly service allowed me to spend more time teaching, more time with my wife and kids. I need to do more in this areas.

My Family activities
-------------------------
0 The odd thing about life is that as I spend more time with my wife, she somehow not taking it in good stride. She felt that I am choking her independence, her ability to be alone and most of all her freedom.

0 The good thing is that she has found a new sport in golf! Playing together as husband and wife has its merits. But the expected twist occurred when we met a new person who won has her affection. This led to misunderstanding in our marriage. It was a wake up call but which somehow leads to an even stronger bond. I must say problems can and will make a person/couple better.


My work related activities (March-May)
------------------------------------------------
0 The priority this year allowed me to experience electrical and maintenance related processes. Something which I put in the backburner for some time. After all I am engineer by heart! But seeing theory applied in practice has never felt more rewarding. Sometimes or most of the time there is no real replacement for actual experience.

0 Managed to attend Malaysia Devt Day and meet up with my top management.

6 Months to this day

August 2012 - Feb 2013

Just realized I was not able to publish this last February!

On my service to God:
================
1. We had 3 Pastoral conversation events, (HK, ANZET and Intl Board) visiting our local church to inspire and relate stories how they have moved in their own ministries.

2. The anniversary of our church featured my 2nd boys talent on drama by playing the Evil one. The reviews were awesome as he displayed uncanny ability to emote in front of the congregation.

On Family Matters:
=============
1. We had a major 10 day family vacation galore. This led us back to my 
hometown  and birthplace. It was humbling to know that somehow people have moved on, led new lives and hardly I know of anyone whom I can relate to.

2. We had a major golf/sporting break this Chinese New year as 3 rounds of golf was played in nearby JB. This resulted in several practice sessions where I had to explore buying several items for my game improvement.


On Work Related Matters
  =================
1. December was tough. We integrated the new company we bought into our fold.

2. New priority on BCP (contingency plan) was in place. Was able to present to my CFO which is the 2nd highest level that I have presented to.

Key Questions in life

These are my key 5 skills a man ought to possess if one is to be successful in life. One must know :

1. How to solve a problem, frame a solution and persuade others to follow.
2. How to sell an idea, convince and help other people see the benefit of an idea.
3. How to motivate people, and bring them hope inspite of their condition in life.
4. How to set a direction, ask tough questions and make a decision based on ones values and convictions.
5. How to handle criticism and be objective even in the face of persecution.

Of course, these are my top 5, there could be more.

Thoughts?

Mid year 2012 update

Well it's middle of the year again! And boy, Tim really paces faster than one has time I ay cheese during a photo shoot. How am I faring in this life race? God - this is my 3rd month of being in prayer for a ministry. I am in short on sabbatical to re-examine my life priorities. Question is - what fruits have I bore? After all the psalmist said: Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, [2] but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. [3] That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither---whatever they do prospers. Family - since declining to accept the youth pastor role, I have now more time on my hands to attend to my boys. I can see our relationship getting better each day. I can joke with them again without ridicule. I can see through their eyes and generally not judging them of who they are. I am giving myself until end of 2012 before I plunge myself into a new ministry role. For now my kids are enjoying the attention, albeit short lived at times due to my school commitments. Work - this is my 3rd year in my global role, and surprisingly my 15th year of service in the company. On the same token, I have also received offers from other companies, and yet remained loyal to the company I joined since college. My boy scout scoutmaster was right when he said loyalty is one of the hallmark of a good scout.

Holiday or Errand?

Day 1 (Friday)

- Fiber optic installation (10-12)

- Late Japanese lunch at orchard - (2-4)

- Bought guitar strings at swee lee  (3-5)

- Bought golf club at golf direct. (5-7)

Day 2 (Saturday)

- Bfast at country club with family (10-12)

- Catnap (1-2)

- Play guitar with eldest from (2-5)

- Swim/gym from (6-7)

- Watch movie at (9-11)

Day 3 (Sunday)

- Palau Ubin from (9-2)

- Gym/swim from  (3-4)

- Late subway lunch

- Sleep and check bike (6-7)

- Driving range (8-10)

Day 4 (Monday)

- Gold (7-10)

- Lunchdate (10-12)

- Sleep (1-5)

- Orchard shopping with my 2nd boy (6-9)

Late 30s Man

Where am I now compared to people who surrounds me:

1. My family - im being touted as a model father to my siblings and those who know me at my church. Im not perfect but everyday is a struggle to deny oneself.

2. My relatives - im being seen as a role model of diligence, luck, hardwork, born with good parents and achiever. The next proof comes off from showing evidence of success thru properties bought back home.

3. My HS classmates - Im being seen as one of the guys who had it made. I now need to see my role as an adviser and perhaps someone who can guide my classmates to pursue selfless things for the betterment of the community at large.

4. My college classmates - Im also being seen as the guy who has good connections in the corporate world. I have to work harder so that I can contribute to my industry as a whole.

5. My churchmates - Im being seen as the cardboard cutout bivocational pastor who is struggling to balance ministry and work in a land as stressful as this! 

Half Time

I cant believe were in the mid of the year again! And so as a customary routine, I took time out from my office yesterday Friday until Monday to pursue some of the long delayed task of reorganizing my life.

First, coming off as an inspiration from a Bollywood film, I started revisiting some of my old passion in music and sports. I bought my son a spanking fender (charvel) guitar costing me an arm and a leg. But I was so amazed at how fast he could play the hotel California solo lead! Talk about being inspired!

Then I was able to bring along my wife to play golf with me. A couple of driving and 1 game at the public course later, she's as addicted as I was during my earlier days. Blame it on me ha ha!

Lastly, I realized that most of what we do as parents, we instincively transfer to our kids. Our motivation, our likes, dislikes, interest and passion. The whole of it, they see. The reality is that the kids would either follow the footsteps of their parents. Or altogether follow a different path. But the disciple, the habit (good and bad) will instinctively rub on them as they grow old.

I can now feel how my parents would have been proud of my achievements in school and in corporate life now that my kids are starting to achieve something out from their life as well.